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The torturous logic that surrounded this decision is another example of how leftists corrupt language in order to achieve their ends. Orwell would be proud, except that he was one of the few leftists who understood and deplored the practice. Arguing that illegal immigrants are offended by the use of the term illegal misses the point that they are here illegally, and their presence offends those of us who are taxed to provide for them. Here's the current stylebook statement on illegal immigrants:

illegal immigration Entering or residing in a country in violation of civil or criminal law. Except in direct quotes essential to the story, use illegal only to refer to an action, not a person: illegal immigration, but not illegal immigrant. Acceptable variations include living in or entering a country illegally or without legal permission.

Except in direct quotations, do not use the terms illegal alien, an illegal, illegals or undocumented.

Do not describe people as violating immigration laws without attribution.

Specify wherever possible how someone entered the country illegally and from where. Crossed the border? Overstayed a visa? What nationality?

People who were brought into the country as children should not be described as having immigrated illegally. For people granted a temporary right to remain in the U.S. under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, use temporary resident status, with details on the program lower in the story.

In a related story, it has been determined that a number of other terms offend those to whom they are applied, and will be changed accordingly:

Thief: Except in direct quotes essential to the story, use thief only to refer to an action, not a person: theft, but not thief. Acceptable variations include property redistribution specialist or undocumented tax collector.

Drug dealer: Except in direct quotes essential to the story, use drug dealer only to refer to an action, not a person: drug dealing, but not drug dealer. Acceptable variations include undocumented pharmacist or freelance mind alteration counselor.

Pimp: Except in direct quotes essential to the story, do not use pimp. Acceptable variations include sex work facilitator or rap song protagonist.

Rapist: Except in direct quotes essential to the story, use rape only to refer to an action, not a person: rape, but not rapist. Acceptable variations include entering a woman illegally or without legal permission.

Murderer: Except in direct quotes essential to the story, use murder only to refer to an action, not a person: murder, but not murderer. Acceptable variations include freelance euthanasia specialist or homicide instigator.

Idiot: Except in direct quotes essential to the story, do not use idiot, moron, tool, schmuck, imbecile or half-wit. Acceptable variations include dumber than an Associated Press Style Book Editor or liberal.

To be honest, with the way things are going these days, nothing really surprises me anymore. This is just one more incident on the long road of degeneration this country has been following for quite some time.

Solve a man's problem with violence and help him for a day. Teach a man how to solve his problems with violence, help him for a lifetime - Belkar Bitterleaf

It's "people of color" all over again. The way I am reading this, a reporter (as long as he has no intention of advancement) can write "people who immigrated illegally" but can't write "illegal immigrants" . Idiots.

It's "people of color" all over again. The way I am reading this, a reporter (as long as he has no intention of advancement) can write "people who immigrated illegally" but can't write "illegal immigrants" . Idiots.

It's a way of separating the person from the act, the sinner from the sin, so to speak. That way, you can still love the "people" but not like the fact that they "immigrated illegally". It's a language processing change and makes sense if you understand how the brain parses language. "Illegal immigrant" is a powerful noun phrase that can act as subject or object in a main clause. "Who immigrated illegally" is a relative (subordinate) clause which is not part of the main clause and is processed differently.

It's a way of separating the person from the act, the sinner from the sin, so to speak. That way, you can still love the "people" but not like the fact that they "immigrated illegally". It's a language processing change and makes sense if you understand how the brain parses language. "Illegal immigrant" is a powerful noun phrase that can act as subject or object in a main clause. "Who immigrated illegally" is a relative (subordinate) clause which is not part of the main clause and is processed differently.

Years ago in DC, I harped on gay people to make sure to use the word "people" rather than allowing "gays" to become a noun. I failed. The convenience of saying "the gays" both for friends and enemies of gay equality simply won out. So as stupid as "the gays" sounds, it gets used. The point being that the AP can try to control the language through their stylebook, but common usage will win out. Illegal immigrants is much easier to say and write than "people of illegal immigration status".